Images: Combat Camera, Assisting Americans In the Middle East

07/21/06 - A woman comforts a small child prior to entering a helicopter on its way to USS Trenton (LPD 14) in Lebanon July 21, 2006. USS Trenton and other ships of Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group arrived on station as part of Task Force 59. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and elements of Task Force 59 are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Karen Eifert) (Released)

07/21/06 - U.S. Navy Sailors provide cots to U.S. citizens in the well deck aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Trenton (LPD 14) in Beirut, Lebanon, July 21, 2006. Trenton and other ships of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group arrived on station as part of Task Force 59 to assist in the safe transportation of U.S. citizens departing Lebanon. (U.S. Navy photo) (Released)

07/19/05 - The guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) prepares to drop its small boat, Lexington, alongside while conducting small boat operations off the coast of Cyprus July 19, 2006. Barry was recently directed to assist in the departure of American citizens from Lebanon. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kurt Riggs) (Released)

07/21/06 - A helicopter carrying American citizens arrives aboard USS Trenton (LPD 14) July 21, 2006. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and elements of Task Force 59 are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Karen Eifert) (Released)

07/21/06 - U.S. citizens, who have recently departed Lebanon, listen to a briefing during processing at the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron's deployment processing center on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, July 21, 2006. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan W. Lipscomb)

USS Iwo Jima Helos Assist with Departures from Lebanon

USS IWO JIMA, At Sea - Onboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) an H-53 Sea Stallion from the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) flies off the flight deck. USS Iwo Jima is the flagship of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, which was recently directed to assist in the authorized departure of American citizens from Lebanon. The ESG is operating in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of operations and expects to be in place to provide assistance later in the week. Official U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joshua T. Rodriguez..

Several CH-53 “Sea Stallion” and CH-46 helicopters from this multi-purpose, amphibious assault ship, safely transported 300 citizens out of Beirut. Additionally, the helicopters delivered approximately 4,200 pounds of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and 1,200 pounds of water for those citizens waiting to depart the country.

“The Sailors of USS Iwo Jima and the Marines of 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable (MEU(SOC)) continue to raise the bar with their performance,” said Capt. Michael A. Walley, commanding officer of Iwo Jima. “Their continued hard work and dedication will help ensure this mission is a success.”

Under the direction of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 59, Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen, naval assets are transporting American citizens from Lebanon to Cyprus. CH-53 helicopters from the 24th MEU(SOC) have also been transporting citizens since July 16.

US Marines Provide Security for Departing Americans

The cruise ship Orient Queen sits pierside in Lebanon July 18, 2006. The ship, under contract with the U.S. government, is part of the larger U.S. military mission to assist U.S. citizens in the authorized departure from Lebanon. The ship is expected to transport nearly 1,000 Americans to Cyprus. Official U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael B.W. Watkins.

NEWSBYTESBahrain-Based U.S. Marines Provide Security for Departing AmericansBEIRUT, Lebanon (CUSNC) -- A group of U.S. Marines from Interim Marine Corps Security Force (IMCSF) Bahrain arrived here July 20 to provide security for the commercial vessel Orient Queen as it assists with the voluntary departures of U.S. citizens.

The IMCSF is coordinating the security aboard the Navy-contracted ship and is working to ensure the safe and orderly transport of each passenger who boards the vessel. The Marine security team, along with the help of Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), is also screening passenger luggage prior to loading it on the vessel.

Private First Class Aaron Welch, a member of the IMCSF detachment, said most people were relieved at the sight of the Marines and expressed their gratitude.

“This is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in the Marine Corps,” said Welch. “Just to see the looks on the people’s faces; they are just so appreciative that we’re here.”

Orient Queen is one of many assets being used to transport American citizens from Lebanon to Cyprus, as part of the coordinated voluntary departure efforts.

Chief Executive Officer Abou Merhi of Aboumerhi Cruises said it was an honor for him to have the opportunity to assist the U.S. and work alongside Marines.

“This is the best deal for me to be able to help,” said Merhi. “I’m not doing it for the money; I’m doing it from the heart.”

According to U.S. officials, more than 7,000 U.S. citizens have already been safely transported to Cyprus. U.S. naval vessels will remain on scene and continue to transport passengers for as long as the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon requires.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Combat Camera: Assisting Americans In the Middle East

U.S. Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard USS Nashville (LPD 13), assist American citizens from the beach in Beirut, Lebanon, onto a waiting landing craft utility July 21, 2006, for transport to USS Nashville. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and elements of Task Force 59 are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. DoD photo by Cryptologic Technician 3rd Class Taylor, U.S. Navy. (Released)

USS Nashville (LPD 13) anchors off the coastline of Beirut, Lebanon, July 21, 2006. Nashville is currently part of a mission to assist U.S. citizens in their departure from Lebanon. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert J. Fluegel, U.S. Navy. (Released)

U.S. Navy sailors assist two young American citizens as they arrive on the flight deck of the USS Trenton (LPD 14) as the ship operates off the coast of Lebanon on July 21, 2006. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and elements of Task Force 59 are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. The Trenton is an amphibious transport which is used to carry and land Marines, their equipment andsupplies by embarked air cushion or conventional landing craft, amphibious vehicles, helicopters or vertical take off and landing aircraft. DoD photo by Lt. Karen Eifert, U.S. Navy. (Released)

A U.S. Marine from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit assists an American baby as she prepares to depart the American Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, July 21, 2006. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and elements of Task Force 59 are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. DoD photo by Cpl. Jeffrey A. Cosola, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

U.S. Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit assist American citizens as they prepare to depart the American Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, July 21, 2006. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and elements of Task Force 59 are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. DoD photo by Cpl. Jeffrey A. Cosola, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

A U.S. Navy sailor carries a sleeping child in a stroller from a landing craft utility boat to the USS Trenton (LPD 14) as the ship operates off the coast of Lebanon on July 21, 2006. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and elements of Task Force 59 are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. The Trenton is an amphibious transport which is used to carry and land Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked air cushion or conventional landing craft, amphibious vehicles, helicopters or vertical take off and landing aircraft. DoD photo by Lt. Karen Eifert, U.S. Navy. (Released)

A CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter from Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 takes off as a second Sea Knight prepares to take off from the flight deck of the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) July 21, 2006. The multipurpose amphibious assault ship is currently part of a mission to assist U.S. citizens in their departure from Lebanon. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert J. Fluegel, U.S. Navy. (Released)

A U.S. Navy Sailor gives candy to an American child before helping him onto a landing craft utility boat in Lebanon for transport to the USS Trenton (LPD 14) July 21, 2006. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and elements of Task Force 59 are assisting with the departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. DoD photo by Lt. Karen Eiffert, U.S. Navy. (Released)

USS Iwo Jima Arrives to Assist Departure from Lebanon

USS IWO JIMA

NEWSBYTES Iwo Jima ESG Arrives to Assist with Departure of American Citizens from LebanonMANAMA, Bahrain (CUSNC) -- More U.S. Sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived on station today to assist in the authorized departure of American citizens from Lebanon.

Under the direction of Commander, Task Force 59, Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen, USMC, naval assets have been transporting American citizens from Lebanon to Cyprus. CH-53 helicopters from the 24th MEU have been flying several flights a day since July 16 from Lebanon to Cyprus. Yesterday USS Nashville (LPD 13) began using landing craft utility boats, or LCUs, to move approximately 1,000 American citizens wishing to depart Lebanon from the beach to the ship. USS Gonzales (DDG 66) and USS Barry (DDG 52) have been escort ships for the chartered civilian ships transporting citizens to Cyprus.

The first operation by Iraqi security forces, a raid on back-to-back objectives in southwest Baghdad, netted three primary targets. The first individual was a key insurgent leader believed to plan and coordinate insurgent operations in Baghdad. The second is allegedly involved in financing operations and supplying weapons to insurgents. And the third is believed to be involved in kidnapping Iraqi citizens, Iraqi police and Iraqi soldiers for ransom to finance insurgent activities. He is also allegedly involved in murdering kidnapping victims and participating in attacks against coalition forces.

Iraqi forces also seized three AK-47 assault rifles and three nine millimeter pistols.

During a second raid in southern Baghdad, Iraqi Army forces captured an individual known to deal improvised explosive devices, or IEDs and small arms to insurgent groups.